We'll miss you Rick. But very cool that you have fun at DOG (4 day??) WEEK. That sounds like a blast. Too bad it's so short of a "week".
Skeeter - I picked up a huge pile of the customs forms the other day at the Geneva Post office.
I'll get them ready - Filling in the return address and some other info in advance.
What do we want to use for a return addeess? (as if it matters - we have to check the box that says
"if undeliverable treat as abandoned") Should we use SCAC address? I think last year we used the P.O. Box address for Southern Airboat.
We'll put "TO" addresses on them when we get them. Last year, BlackPowderScout used his knowledge and intuition to choose addresses. (I think he picked units that often get overlooked)
I think he chose addresses from this site:
http://www.anysoldier.com/
Also from that site is a list of what to send:
They have pre-made packages you can BUY - but I've copied the "list of ingredients"
Male Hygiene kit:
Anti-bacterial Wipes, Hand/Foot warmers, Nail Clippers, Tweezers, Foot Powder, Deodorant, Sunscreen, First Aid Kit, Medicated Lip Balm w/SPF 15, Dental Travel Kit (includes Toothbrush, Toothpaste and Floss or mouth wash) Shampoo, Comb, Razors, Shaving Gel, Hand Sanitizer, Cotton swabs, tissues, toilet paper, and an assortment of gum
Female Hygene kit:
Medicated lip balm w/SPF 15, Hand/Foot warmers, Sunscreen, Shampoo, Cotton Swabs, Deodorant, Razors, Shaving Gel, Personal Cleansing Cloths, Foot Powder, Tampax Compact Tampons, Panty Liners, Dental Travel Kit (includes toothbrush, toothpaste & floss or mouthwash) Mary Kay scented lotions - hand & foot, Shower to Shower Body Powder, First Aid Kit, Nail Clippers, Nail files, Tweezers, Hand Sanitizer, Tissues, Toilet Paper, Pony Tail Holders, Herbal Teas and Gum.
Cookie Kit:
Oreo Cookie Packs, Rice Krispies Treats, Entenmann's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Packs of Keebler Sugar Wafers, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Entenmann's Little Bites Brownies and Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Snack Time Kit:
Chunky Soup, Campbell's Select Soup, Mini Ravioli, Salmon Jerky, Tuna Lunch Kit, Chicken Salad & Crackers, Fruit Cups, Snyders peanut & pretzel sandwiches, Raisins, fruit & oatmeal muffin bars, Lindens Large Chocolate Chip Cookies, Rice Krispies Treats, Nacho Cheese Crackers, Doritos & Chips, Combos Pizzeria Pretzels, Snickers and M&M Kudo Bars, Slim Jims, Chex Mix, Honey Roasted Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds, Gatorade or Kool-aid, Coffee and sugar packets, Tea bags or Hot Cider, An assortment of hard candies and chocolate (weather permitting)
Note that soldiers are instructed to THROW AWAY anything NOT in a factory package. NO HOMEMADE FOODS should be sent.
Entertainment packages:
Female package includes: 2 current DVD's (newest available each week)1 current music CD, 1 current bestselling novel, 1 magazine (will select from Cosmo, Glamour, Oprah or a variety of popular women's magazines) 3 pkgs of movie butter popcorn, pkg of Combos, 2 pkgs of pistachio nuts, pkg of cookies, 3 large boxes of the following candies (Nerds, Spree, Laffy Taffy, Hot Tamales, Chocolate Raisins (chocolate only during the winter)
Male package includes: 2 current DVD's (newest available each week)1 current music CD, 1 current bestselling novel, 1 magazine (will select from FHM, Stuff, Sports Illustrated, Maxim or a variety of popular men's magazines) 3 pkgs of movie butter popcorn, pkg of Combos, 2 pkgs of pistachio nuts, pkg of cookies, 3 large boxes of the following candies (Nerds, Spree, Laffy Taffy, Hot Tamales, Chocolate Raisins (chocolate only during the winter months)
NOTE: One letter I saw on anysoldier.com told about how DVD and CD disks were frequently stolen from the bases and then SOLD BACK to the soldiers. The Colonel who wrote he letter suggested taking a PERMANANT MARKER and writing on BOTH the disk and the package "ANYSOLDIER.COM" to help prevent this activity.
Be sure to visit this page:
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhatToSend.cfm
Scroll down near the bottom to find the "WHAT NOT TO SEND" and tips.
Skeeter, when we find boxes - we need to make sure they are not too large. Last year's boxes were too large I think..... Let's make 11x17x12 (the size of a case of paper) be the maximum size. Just my thought there.
Other things that are GREATLY APPRECIATED are pencil/paper (write home kits) phone cards (call home) and LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT (word FROM home)
Last year, Dakota and a few others had their school classrooms write letters that we included one in each box.
Lots of more good ideas here:
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhatToSend.cfm
I especially like that "write home kit" camo notepad. VERY COOL!
I hope this helps.
matt.
